“So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him,, Feed my lambs. He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee, Feed my sheep. He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep. Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdest thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not. This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me” (John 21:15-19).
Jesus had taken Peter aside to talk with him. Some might think the reason for the three times of Jesus asking “lovest thou me” was because he had denied him that many times. I think it goes deeper than that. First of all, Jesus wanted to let Peter know he was forgiven. He also wanted to hear his reply to the question. Christ wanted Peter to say he loved Him and would be His follower. He had a special work for Peter. In spite of Peter’s failures, He still trusted him. Jesus knew how Peter really felt but He needed to hear it from his lips. Jesus knows that about us as well. He wants to hear it from our lips.
He told him to “feed my sheep.” The Good Shepherd was going to entrust Peter to look after His followers. Peter’s encounter with the Lord was a major turning point in his life. I believe in his accepting God’s grace, he was able to show grace to himself. In today’s Scripture, we find implications that Peter would die a martyr’s death. Then came the words, “follow me.” Tomorrow we see Peter had one last question he needed to ask Christ.
Sue Winchester
Missouri
PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for our nation and specifically for our President on this eve of our nation’s Independence Day.
